Hey folks, We're a young couple and Homes are going for about $324,900 on average. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Anyone in a similar situation? Property taxes are high but you get good services.
0 upvotes
12 Replies
grayson_dude
My experience has been mostly positive. I genuinely enjoy living here. The only thing I'd watch out for is traffic. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
40 upvotes
Addison Jones
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Miami about 11 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
Cons that are real:
- Dating scene is rough
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are developing, gas is excellent.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Feel free to reach out with questions..
34 upvotes
Serenity
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Oak Park. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
34 upvotes
Mackenzie T.
Moved here from Nashville about 12 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to nightlife but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
30 upvotes
tulsa_lucas
I've lived in Greenfield for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from LA, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Strong job market in several industries
- The traffic scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for remote workers. Hope this helps!.
22 upvotes
Beverly H.
I work in manufacturing here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is underrated. Hope this helps!.
22 upvotes
Maya E.
literally same
17 upvotes
Gabriel Miller
underrated comment
14 upvotes
Grayson
100%
8 upvotes
Bryan W.
Used to live on the Westside side, now on the Uptown side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
7 upvotes
Aaron White
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 50, moved here 8 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Oak Park and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Property taxes are high
3. The cultural scene situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for remote workers. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- South: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Baltimore, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
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